Purpose of Study

English has a significant role in education and in society, and is central to every pupil’s learning journey. A high-quality education in English will teach pupils to speak and write fluently so that they can communicate their ideas and emotions to others; through their reading and listening, it also allows others to communicate with them. Reading in particular gives pupils a chance to develop a respect for others through safe exploration of literacy stimuli and developing an understanding of others culturally, diversely, emotionally, intellectually, socially and spiritually. Literature plays a vital role in the development of pupils learning. Reading enables pupils both to acquire knowledge and to build on what they already know. All the skills of language are essential to participating fully as a member of society. At Grange Junior School, we provide an English curriculum, which engages, inspires and challenges pupils learning, ensuring every child can thrive and succeed.

Aims:

The overarching aim for English in the National Curriculum is to promote high standards of language and literacy skills by equipping pupils with a strong command of the spoken and written English language, and to develop their love of literature through widespread reading for enjoyment.

The national curriculum for English aims to ensure that all pupils:

• To develop strong phonetic understanding enabling pupils to decode and develop reading fluency and pace, this will enable pupils to focus on developing their skills in comprehension, vocabulary and spelling;
• To develop the habit of reading widely and often, for both pleasure and information aiding to develop comprehension skills and good understanding of different genres, text structure and texts;
• To acquire a wide vocabulary, an understanding of grammar and knowledge of linguistic conventions for reading, writing and spoken language;
• To be able to appreciate our rich and varied literary heritage;
• To be able to discuss and apply grammatical devices, spelling and punctuation accurately to enhance and develop their writing;  
• To write clearly, accurately and coherently, adapting their language and style in and for a range of contexts, purposes and audiences;
• To use discussion in order to learn; they should be able to elaborate and explain clearly their understanding and ideas;
• To be competent in the arts of speaking and listening, making formal presentations, demonstrating to others and participating in debate.

Intent:

Grange Junior School’s vision and values are core to everything we do as a school. They underpin our teaching and learning and provide and environment which prepares pupils to grow and become confident individuals. We encourage pupils to develop personal qualities: respect, resilience, challenge, self-regulation, safety, nurture, confidence and co-operation.  At Grange Junior School, our English curriculum aims to empower every pupil to become a confident, articulate and thoughtful communicator. Rooted in the National Curriculum and shaped by our school values—respect, nurture, resilience, challenge and safety—we strive to foster a lifelong love of reading, writing and spoken language. English is the foundation for learning across the curriculum, and through it, we support pupils’ emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual growth. Our approach embeds the six learning behaviour strands—boundaries, resilience, focus, self-regulation, respect and independence—developing well-rounded, self-aware learners.

English is taught following a clear progression across the key stage building on prior knowledge from the previous key stage and equipping pupils with the skills to take into later learning.  Our English curriculum follows and adheres to the National English Curriculum and the Hampshire Model. All pupils, especially disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care and those who face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being (though carefully planned support and scaffolding), can follow a clear, ambitious progression of their literacy skills enabling pupils to become more resilient with their learning, building on prior knowledge and skills, through thoroughly coherent planned and sequenced lessons and scaffolded support. ensuring that the teaching of literacy promotes, supports and maintains high quality outcomes. English is a consistent thread in all subject areas, ensuring English skills are rehearsed and refined throughout their learning enhancing their personal, social, emotional development.  As a school, we link our literacy curriculum to incorporate our broader curriculum, which provides our learners with rich and varied learning opportunities.  English is the foundation for learning across the curriculum, and through it, we support pupils’ emotional, physical, spiritual and intellectual growth, enabling our pupils to become confident, enthusiastic and independent learners. Therefore, the knowledge and understanding of English are constantly being built on throughout all curriculum areas; becoming more secure across the key stage.

At Grange, through the English curriculum, we aim to promote a safe and supportive learning environment where all children are confident to express themselves; build resilience through exposure to challenging texts and structured opportunities to improve their work; provide purposeful challenge that raises aspirations and deepens understanding across reading, writing and oracy; develop individual creativity and voice, encouraging each child to take pride in their work and progress; and foster respect for language, others’ viewpoints and a diverse range of cultures, characters and ideas through rich and varied texts. All of these opportunities give the pupil’s learning a real purpose nurturing an inquisitive approach to develop and enhance their learning. We promote a positive attitude towards analysis of texts, investigation and purpose; this encourages a curiosity for learning the children to understand the value of English and puts it in to context for their future learning.

We provide children with real opportunities for speaking and listening (assemblies, school council, debates and performances), reading (shared reading across year groups, performances and assemblies) and writing (letters to governors, letters to government on pollution, letters to authors in addition to in class/school publications).

Implementation:

The English reading and writing long term plans ensure a coherent, broad and balanced curriculum is offered across the Key Stage enabling all pupils - especially disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care and those who face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being - to achieve. Units of work, often linked to other curriculum areas to encourage immersion in the topic subject, enabling stronger outcomes. Units of work are coherently planned and sequenced by the subject manager, so that children cumulatively gain sufficient knowledge and skills.  At Grange Junior School, English is taught daily, with reading and writing woven across the wider curriculum to maximise meaningful learning opportunities. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced and progressive, through learning journeys ensuring that skills are built upon and deepened each year. 

•  Reading is taught through high-quality whole-class texts, guided reading groups, and individual reading sessions. Pupils explore a diverse range of fiction, non-fiction and poetry, developing both fluency and comprehension. Vocabulary development is a key focus, supporting all aspects of literacy and oracy;  § Writing is taught through a range of stimuli including purposeful, book-based approaches, topic study areas and current affairs that help to develop pupils understanding of the wider topics whilst developing vocabulary, grammar and genre-specific features;
• Children write for a range of audiences and purposes, engaging in the full writing process: planning, drafting, editing, publishing and evaluating;
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar are taught both discretely and within context to ensure understanding is applied effectively;
• Speaking and listening are prioritised across the curriculum, with regular opportunities for discussion, debate, presentation and performance to build confidence, clarity and respect for others’ ideas;

High expectations, clear learning objectives and regular opportunities for feedback ensure that all pupils are challenged appropriately. Interventions and support are tailored to meet the needs of individuals and groups, ensuring equity in access and achievement.

Impact:

English reading and writing teaching and learning is enjoyed by teachers and pupils across school. Teachers have clear and high expectations for what can be achieved - especially disadvantaged pupils, those with SEND, those who are known (or previously known) to children’s social care and those who face other barriers to their learning and/or well-being – so that the best possible outcome can be achieved. In addition to this, children use grammatical, technical and challenging vocabulary more accurately. Pupils are expected to know, apply and understand grammatical terms and skills appropriately to different genres of reading and writing.

The impact of our English curriculum is evident in our pupils’ progress and the outcomes from their learning throughout the key stage. Our pupils become more confident in their literacy skills and are able to apply these in all areas of their learning across the wider curriculum. The exposure to phonics, spelling, reading, text drivers and writing stimuli builds the confidence, fluency and creativity of our pupils. These skills enable our pupils to communicate confidently.

By the end of Key Stage 2:

• Pupils can read fluently and widely, with good comprehension and a genuine enjoyment of reading;
• Pupils can write clearly, accurately and with increasing confidence across a variety of genres;
• Pupils can express themselves confidently through spoken language, listening respectfully to others and adapting their speech to different purposes and audiences;
• Pupils can show resilience in the face of challenge and pride in their work, recognising their growth and setting goals for continued improvement;
• Pupils can demonstrate the positive learning behaviours and values that will support their success both at school and in life beyond Grange.

Our pupils leave Key Stage 2 equipped with the literacy skills, self-belief and love of learning that will serve them in the next stage of their education and in the wider world.